The role of GMing necessitates a little secrecy. Secrecy is sometimes an important aspect of playing roleplaying games. Since it’s a topic near and dear to the hearts of all gamers, and rather improtant to many groups, we decided to answer the question of our listener Nick. Our group is not very secretive, and we hope Nick’s question has a good answer from us and given our loyal listeners something to think about!

We want to hear all your secretses! Rather, how do you handled secrecy or metagaming? Tell us anything you want on Facebook, Twitter, or via email!

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SHOUTOUTS

NICK! I hope this answers your questions.

“Pixel-Bitching,” for those who don’t know what the hell Joe is talking about.

The book we mention in the episode was Blue World by Robert R. McCammon. The story Joe used is actually not “Blue World” (which is fucking A!), but the story “Nightcrawlers,” which is available to read on McCammon’s site for free!

Just wanted to drop you guys a line and say that I’m definitely enjoying your podcast and look forward to every new episode. Also, I’ve got to agree that the core mortal nWoD book is perfect as is, even if Mage: the Awakening is my favorite game.

Joe & Nicky, Im currently listening to number 8. in regards to how we work out our combat, i don’t see it as meta-gaming. It’s just teamwork, the characters we usually play are highly skilled in physical ability. Since we are table top we cant actually physically express it nor would i try. So we have to talk it out. Plus, it kicks ass!

I’ve played in two nWoD games that were run only using the corebook and it worked just fine. I have no interest in the other nWoD games. I did pick up the corebook myself, though I personally prefer to use Cinematic and Classic Unisystem games when I want to run non-Cthulhu Mythos horror.

Speaking of Unisystem, In Nomine sounds like something that could alternatively be done using Armageddon. Might be an option for those who have a problem with IN’s system.

Is there anything in particular you don’t like about the WoD game lines? I’ve never played Armageddon, but I’d like to some time! I’ve never had the opportunity to play Cinematic Unisystem either…

I’ve heard there’s some folks who dislike the system in In Nomine, but having played it quite a bit…I don’t understand the criticism. Of course, philosophically, I don’t believe in game balance or “niche protection” either.

My main problem with WoD in general is its pretentious tone and the marsh of text you have to wade through to just find out what the rules are. nWoD fixed the system pretty well and made cross-over play between the game lines finally possible, but they did not get rid of the pretentious, tiresome prose and the setting is presented in a boring way, supposedly meant to be more serious and mature or something.
Reading (Cinematic) Unisystem games I get much more of a sense of actual fun and ideas for settings or scenarios seem to come more naturally. If you pick up just the Angel RPG corebook you pretty much got a cinematic urban fantasy toolkit, all in one book. Compatible with all the other games, among which the brilliant hidden gem Terra Primate, for more awesomeness.
All of this IMHO of course!

I’m not familiar with In Nomine myself but hearing about it made me think of Armageddon, a game which I also only read and heard about. For me personally, as a GM the whole apocalyptic angel-demon thing seems a bit too over the top, but I’d be willing to give it a try as a player.

Game balance and “niche protection”…? I think Call of Cthulhu demonstrates pretty well how much fun one can have without these things bothering you.

You nailed it with the caveman statement. Just as stories were told around the campfire so are the cooperative stories of role playing told around the table. It draws the players together instead of allowing them to separate and loose interest.
Doug took my seat?! Well I guess if someone had take my place it might as well be him. Love the webcast, miss you guys alot.